At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with top footwear brands to create exciting product assortments.
- Company: Join M&S, a leader in fashion innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, inclusive culture, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in branded footwear and strong communication skills.
- Other info: 12-month FTC with potential for growth in a vibrant environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our collaborations with some of the world's biggest brand names are helping us to reach an even broader audience. From exclusive collaborations with Adidas to brands we own like Jaegar, join our expanding team of fashion curators, and shape the future of M&S Clothing & Home. As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey. Please note this is a 12 month FTC.
As the Footwear Branded Junior Buyer you will be working closely with our 3rd Party Brand Partners to create the optimum product assortment that exceeds customer expectations.
Key accountabilities and measures:- Create positive partnerships with our brands, establishing strong direct relationships quickly and leveraging these to develop a long-term benefit to M&S.
- Build strong relationships internally and externally to train, engage and equip all relevant parties with the information and guidance to effect successful and commercial trading partnerships.
- Act as the key interface with all brands to deliver the best product choice, customer experience and ensure ease of working across all key retail levers: selection, availability, supply chain, operational efficiency, and marketing.
- Ensure product selection and size of offer adheres to key principles of price stretch, range scale and choice that compliments M&S Brands and customer aspirations.
- Be the ambassador of the brand internally by liaising with cross functional departments including retail, supply chain, e-com and marketing to ensure all operations run smoothly.
- Constantly monitor sales and range offering to ensure commercial and customer aspirations are potentialised, liaising with brands to curate and amend accordingly.
- Ensure business units are regularly and succinctly updated with progress, status, and learnings, allowing for feedback and input to be incorporated.
- Accountable for ensuring all contractual, business process, business plans and critical paths are shared, up to date and complete. Work with Legal, Finance and C&H Business Units to deliver this.
Your skills and experience will include:
- Experience of working in branded Footwear to Assistant Buyer or Junior Buyer level, with a strong product affinity.
- Understanding customer appeal and product and how this will complement the M&S brand is critical.
- Strong relationship building and communication skills to foster collaborative and effective engagement with brand partners.
- Open to change and playing an important role in establishing the adoption of 3rd Party Brands within the complex and evolving M&S world.
- Appreciation of internal cross functional departments and key interactions required to establish integrated processes and ease of working - ability to make things happen across the business is critical in this role so being organised and tenacious will be key.
- Strong commercial acumen - understanding how price, margin and costs impact the Brand and M&S profitability.
- Understanding and awareness of the competitor landscape, how this evolves and the impact on our brand choices regarding new brand development.
M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That's why we're revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There's never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.
Junior Buyer Footwear Brands 12 Month FTC in City of London employer: Marks and Spencer
Contact Detail:
Marks and Spencer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Buyer Footwear Brands 12 Month FTC in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at M&S or similar brands. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for footwear! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your thoughts on current trends and how they relate to M&S. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in the brand itself.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching M&S's recent collaborations and product launches. Being knowledgeable about their offerings will impress interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to contribute to M&S's exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Buyer Footwear Brands 12 Month FTC in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Footwear: When you're writing your application, let your love for footwear shine through! Talk about your experience with branded footwear and how it aligns with M&S's vision. We want to see that you’re not just applying for any job, but this specific role because you genuinely care about the product.
Highlight Your Relationship-Building Skills: This role is all about collaboration, so make sure to emphasise your ability to build strong relationships. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with partners or teams in the past. We need to know you can connect with our brand partners and internal teams effortlessly!
Be Organised and Tenacious: We love a candidate who can juggle multiple tasks while keeping everything on track. In your application, mention how you stay organised and manage your time effectively. Show us that you can handle the fast-paced environment at M&S and keep things running smoothly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about M&S and what we stand for. We can’t wait to see your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Brands
Before the interview, do your homework on the brands you'll be working with. Understand their product lines, target audience, and recent collaborations. This will show your passion for the role and help you discuss how you can contribute to building strong partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Whether it's with suppliers or internal teams, being able to demonstrate your communication and collaboration skills will be key to showing you can thrive in a team-oriented environment.
✨Understand the Commercial Landscape
Brush up on your knowledge of pricing strategies, margins, and costs. Be ready to discuss how these factors influence product selection and profitability. This will highlight your strong commercial acumen, which is crucial for the Junior Buyer role.
✨Be Ready to Adapt
The retail landscape is always changing, so be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to change in the past. Share examples of how you've embraced new processes or technologies, as this will demonstrate your flexibility and readiness to contribute to M&S's evolving business model.